Trek savers The apps turning your footsteps into freebies

A walk to work could get you rewards such as cheaper coffee or Amazon discounts. Mabel Banfield-Nwachi tests her earning potential

- Mabel Banfield-Nwachi

Getting your steps in could do more than just lift your mood: walking is linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety, better cardiovascular health, and improved memory. The NHS says just 10 minutes of brisk walking a day is enough to make a difference.

And alongside health benefits, this exercise could also earn you rewards such as coffee and other small treats, thanks to a growing number of apps that turn your footsteps into freebies.

The government is looking at whether financial incentives could encourage people to increase the amount they walk and improve their diet. It is now reviewing the results of an official pilot scheme in Wolverhampton where people were given fitness trackers and earned rewards such as money off their supermarket shopping.

In the meantime we tested some apps that let you swap your steps for stuff.

Paace If you are looking for immediate, tangible rewards, Paace is the most straightforward of the bunch. It will not tell you exactly how many steps equal a point, but the points you earn can be exchanged for offers such as money off your coffee, sandwiches, or even a packet of smoked salmon at independent cafes and restaurants (mostly) in London.

The app has had more than 98,000 downloads and there are now more than 200 Paace partner vendors.

The app sets a daily target of 8,000 steps. It took me about a week to earn enough points to get my first reward - an iced latte for £1 and 90 points - a discount on the £3.70 the cafe normally charges. For this, I walked an average of 14,000 steps a day over that period (I was on a city break for part of it), which gave me just under 100 points.

To make a purchase, you add the item to your basket and swipe to "unlock" the reward. Be careful: you only have 15 minutes to use the voucher after you have unlocked it, so do not make the mistake I almost made and open it too early.